Web feeding device



NOV. 20, 1945. R A. LAK

WEB FEEDING DEVICE original Filed Feb. 22, '194:5

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 immuun N22. z; 194g. R A; LAKE 2,389,200

WEB FEEDING DEVICE Original' Filed Feb. 22, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 wl-:moraA ROSS A. LAKE New. 20, .1 945.

R.v A LAKE WEB FEEDING DEVICE Original Filed Feb. 22, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 4 Y JN? im; e m w M: 5 B A W f 9 .m r m F. IO

mvENToR ROSS A. LAKE ATT RNEY Nov. 2o, 1945;

' R. A. LAKE WEB FEEDING DEVICE Originval Filed Feb. 22, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Ross A. LAKE lBY Jj ATTOR EY Patented Nov. 20, 1945 UNITED sTnTssl PATENT orifice WEB FEEDING DEVICE Ross A. Lake, Oak Park, Ill., assigner to Teletype Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Griginal application February 22, 1943, Serial No.

476,693. Divided and this'application February 26, 1944, Serial No. 524,102

(Cl. 1778-1-42)y 6 Claims.

indicia formed in varying combinations either by manually or remotely operated apparatus. Specically, the control indicia may be in the form of transverse rows of` perforations formed in a tape either by a keyboard perforator or by a signal controlled perforator which is commonly referred to as a reperforatcr. The tape thus prepared passesthrough a transmitter or sensing mechanism, to control correspondingly the transmission in succession of impulses identified with the perforations, which has its tape entrance channelseparated from the tape exit channel of the periorator. Under such conditions, a short length of tape extends between the perforator and` the transmitter and contains a group of perforations, for the last character perforated is not sensed unless the tape is advanced to present suchY group of perforations to the transmitter or. unless the sensing mechanism is made movable along the control strip to sense the last control indicia and effect transmission of its corresponding signal impulses,y as disclosed in Patent No. 2,262,012, granted November ll, 1.941-, to R. A. Lake.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an intermittent web feeding device which is susceptible of either forward and backward movement in. response to predetermined conditioning of the feeding instrumentalities.

The above and other objects of the invention are accomplished by the provision either of a manually operated keyboard perforator or a signal controlled perforator operative in conjunction with a tape sensing mechanism including a plu'- rality of sensing fingers set permutably in accordance with the perforations or control indicia in a previously prepared control strip to control the transmission of impulses symbolic of the characters to be reproduced. The perforator to which the invention has been specifically applied comprises a plurality ofv key levers arranged to set permutably a plurality of bars which, in turn, set correspondingly a plurality of interponents to control, upon the operation of a mechanically operated punch hammer, the operation of the control stri-p in accordance with the cde allocated to a depressed key lever.v` The perforating instrumentalities of the perfor-ating device according to this invention are arranged to be pivotedA so that the perforatng punches may be advanced toward the transmitting device in order that the last code perforated may b e immediately transmitted by the transmitting device.

Cooperating with the codexpunches is a feed hole punch for inserting; in thet'ape: in. advance of the code perforations a feed hole which cooperates with a tape feeding mechanism f the periorating unit to advance the tape therethrough step by step in order that the groups of' perforations therein may be punched successively.

The perforating mechanism includes, as 4pre viously indicated, punches or punching elements which are mounted in a carrier capable of`osci-llation about a fixed pivot away from and toward the entrance channel of atapel transmitter. Normally, the tape entrance channel ofthe sensing unit of a transmitter is immediately adacent or contiguous tothe exit channel of'A theperforator and the tapepasses directly from' the perforator to the sensing without any exposed portion ofthe tape. -When the perforator .is operated, the tape feed mechanism. thereof ativances the tape and causes the perforating, unit to be pushed' or pivoted a distance equal to the distance between the transverse rowslog perforations thus starting. a transmitting. distributor which includes means to move the tape in the sensing unit, but sin'ce the tape may be perforated at a greater rate of speed than it is transmitted, the perforator is pivoted away from the sensing mechanism until itV reaches a predetermined back stop, whereupon a loop of tape is created between the perforator andthe transmitter. When the perforating Voperations are terminated and a loop of' tape exists between the perforator and the transmitter, the transmitter continues to transmit the' signals under the control ofthe tape While the tape is-advanced through the transmitter untilv the tape is taut between the transmitter and perforatoi whereupon the tape draws or pulls the perforator to- Ward the transmitter until the perforator is again contiguous to the transinittirrg` mechanism, and when the last signalperforated in the tape has been transmitted transmission will' cease automatically.

A feature of the present' invention cns'is'ts in plvdig in th taD-peffalliilg eCilI f the pivoted type", a now/'e1 pack spacing mechanism punches arranged in a transverse row to perforate of the rectilinear type. Heretofore; asfslf'own" in the afore-mentioned Lake patent, the tape feeding operation has been performed through the instrumentality of a rectilinear feed mechanism. The tape advancing mechanism shown in the Lake patent includes elements operated cyclically under the -control of cams, constituting a part of the transmitting cam distributor drum, according to a rectilinear action. In the perforating device, according to the present invention, a corresponding rectilinear action is provided for advancing the tape through the perforator. In addition to this, a reversing mechanism is provided wherein the tape feeding cams are adjusted so as to operate the rectilinear operating mechanism in a reverse direction to back space the tape through the perforating device. A v

A better understanding of the invention may be had from the following description taken in contion, of thel structure according to the invention;

Fig. 2-is a fragmentary elevational View showingithe pivoted'perforator of the present invention associated With the pivoted transmitter of Lake Patent No. 2,262,012;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the structure disclosed Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken on line 4 4 of Fig. 1 to show the back space shift mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a top view of the rectilinear feed operating mechanism;

Fig. Gis a sectional view taken on line 6 6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 1 7 of Fig. 1:

Fig. 8 is a sectional View taken on line 8 8 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional View taken through the feed punch mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a detailed view of the taut tape lever for the feed punch mechanism;

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view of the rectilinear feed operating mechanism;

Figs. 12 and 13 are separate views showing the component elements of the rectilinear feed mechanism andthe operating cams therefor;

"Fig 14 'is a vertical sectional view of the perforating mechanism; and

Fig. 15 is a circuit diagram of the electrical iconnections for the apparatus disclosed in Fig. 1.

' Having reference to Fig. 1, the structure ac- "cording to the present invention may be considered as including the following principal units; namely, a pre-punch feed hole mechanism 2|, a

pivoted perforator 22 for perforating code holes in transverse rows on the record strip, a tape sensing unit 23,Y and a transmitting unit 24. Each ofthe several units is mounted on a base casting 25. In the specific embodiment of the invention disclosed, the perforating mechanism is indicated as being keyboard operated or controlled. The keyboard mechanism employed is of the type the bars 28, as described in the afore-mentioned Lake et al. patent, so that 4the rocker arms 29 will be rocked either clockwise or counter-clockwise by the bars 28, depending upon the permutation code allotted to the particular key lever operated. Pivotally articulated tc. the depending arm of the rocker member 29 (ofwhich there is one located at each end of the bar 28) is a link member 32. Each of the link members 32 extends leftwardly (as in Fig. 1) beyond the rocker member 29, and is pivotally articulated to the lower end of a punch interponent operating lever 33, which is one of a series of levers pivoted on a shaft 34, suitably journaled in the apparatus. It is understood, o-f course, that there are a number of pairs of bars 28 corresponding to the permutation code employed; for example, in the present disclosure a five-unit permutation code is contemplated. Hence, there are five pairs of permutation code bars 2S and five links 32, as well as -five interponent operating levers 33. As disclosed in the afore-mentioned R. A. Lake et al. Patent No. 1,969,891, there is also associated with the plurality of code bars 28 a universal bar (not shown) which is adapted to be depressed or operated upon each depression of the key lever 26 to initiate the operation of the perforating apparatus, as will presently appear.

Each of the levers 33 is pivotally associated at its upper end with an interponent member 35 which is slidably carried in the actuating member or hammer 36 pivotally carried on shaft 3l. As shown in Figs. 6 and 14, the hammer -36 is actuated about the pivot shaft 3l by means of the operating lever 38 which is also pivotally mounted on the shaft 3'| and which is adjustably attached to the hammer 36 through the instrumentality of the vertical portion 38 (Fig. 6) Arm 38 carries a follower roller 4| which cooperates 4D with the perforator operating cam 42, carried on shown in R. A. Lake et al. Patent No. 1,969,891 v and comprises a plurality of key levers 26 providedat their outward extremities with keytops 21 arranged in a key bank.

Beneath the key levers 26 is arranged a series of pairs of code bars 28 adapted to be operated vertically so that when, upon depression of a key lever 26, one of the key bars 28 of the pair will be depressed while its companion bar will be raised orelevated. Associated with each of the pairs of bars 28-and carried on a pivot shaft 3| is a rocker `member 28 which is arranged to cooperate with a sleeve member |23 mounted on main shaft 43. It will be noted that the cam 42 has two similar cam contours so that the perforator is operated once for each one-half revolution of the cam. As will be presently described, the structure herein disclosed is adapted to operate in such a manner that the cam rotates one-half revolution upon each depression of the key lever, hence the two similar cam contours on each cam. The follower roller 4| is held in contact with the periphery of the cam 42 by means of a spring 44 which tends to bias the lever 38 normally in a clockwise direction.

Each interponent 35 is, at its free end, adapted to cooperate with the bottom end of an associated punch member 45 (Figs. 1, 1l and 14). As'will presently appear, the bottom end of the punch member 45 which cooperates with the interponent 35 is arcuate so that the point of contact between the punch member 45 and the interponent 35 is coincident with the pvot center of the pivoted perforator 22. The relation between the guide 46 and punch member 45 is such that the punch members 45 are held in proper cooperative relation with interponents 35, The punch members 45 are reciprocated vertically, and are conformed to slide on guide members 46. Each of the punch members 45 is provided at its upper end with a cylindrical punch element 4l, which is movable through an opening in a'guide plate 48 and cooperates with a die plate 49. The plates 48 and 49 arevspaced apart to form a tape guide for the tape 5|.

Thus, upon the operation of a key lever. 26, lthe permutation bars 28 are set according to the permutation code combination allotted to the. op-

erated key lever, and the rocker arms 29 are. op-

erated eitherv clockwise or counterclockwise according to the vertical motion of the bars: 28, as

described in the R. A. Lake et al.v Patent No. 1,969,891, whereupon the links 32 are reciproca-ted -rig-htwardly or leftwardly to correspond with the code combination set up in the bars 28. The levers 33 are set either in a clockwise or counterclockwise position by the links 32 to set or posirpath of the vertically operating punch members 145, so that when the punch hammer or actuating member 36 is operated through the instrumentality of cam 42 and lever 38 (Fig. 14)., the interponents 35 are rocked clockwise (as viewed in Fig. 1) to raise the punch members 45, if an interponent is positioned therebeneath, to cause a perforation to be made in the tape Secured to the bottom surface of punch actuating member 35 is a spring member 30 which is formed at its free end to carry a yoke member 40 which spans projections 50 of the punch members 45. Yoke member 4'0 thus serves as a yieldable punch stripping instrumentality. Carried in the member 36 beneath each interponent 35 is a ball 60 which cooperates with a pair of V-shaped notches in the bottom edge of its associated interponent. The balls 60 are pressed against the interponents by the spring member to provide a detent means to hold the interponents in their set position.

As previously mentioned, the structure disclosed comprises a pre-punch mechanism 2| wherein the feed holes are punched in the tape 5| at a point in advance of the code-hole perforator 22. As shown inlFig. 9, a feed-hole punch 52 is partially enclosed in a housing 53 which conceals a spring 54 arranged to subject punch 52 to spring tension and restore it to its normal position. Punch 52 is guided in housing 53 by venlarged integral 'ange portion 55 and is further guidedin guide plate 56 and cooperates with a die plate 51, In the embodiment disclosed, the feed punch 52 is operated through the instrumentality of an adjustable screw 58, disposed in vertical alignment with punch 52 and carried in a bar 59 pivoted at 6| on a member G2. As viewed in Fig. '7, bar 59 extends rightwardly and has lconnected at its extremity one end of a spring 63, the other end of which is secured to a spring post 64, attached to the frame 65. Substantially intermediate the screw 58 and spring 63 (Fig. 7) is a yoke member 6B which engages the bar 59 and is slidable vertically on studs 61 and 60. Yoke member 96 cooperates with an eccentric cam 59 fixed to an operating shaft 1| journaledin frame 65.

Shaft 1| rotates continuously and carries at its end a gear 12 (Fig. 3), which meshes with a pinion gear 13 fixed to a cross shaft 14, journaled in bearings ,15' and 16 mounted onr theV base 25. Continuous rotation is imparted to the cross shaft 14 through a gear 11 which is meshed with a pinion gear 18 carried on shaft 19 of a motor 8|. Accordingly, the yoke member 56 reciprocates vertically in a continuous manner, and carried on the yoke member 66 is a tape feeding pawl 82 which cooperates with a feed ratchet 83 'fixed-to shaft 04 mounted in the frame 65. In the present embodiment, the ratchet 83 comprises teeth cut in a sleeve 05 (Figs. 3 and '7) whichY also carries integral therewith a peripheral series of tape feeding pins 86; The pawi 02 is normally biased inacounterclockwise direction about stud 8T by a spring 88. In this manner, the. pawl 82 is normally in engagementwith the ratchet 83 so that upon each upward movement of the yokey 86, the ratchet 83 (and therefore, sleeve 84); is rotated counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. I, one angular stepfto thereby step the tape leftwardly from one perforating position to the next. Also fixed to the sleeve 85 is a star'wheel 89, and cooperating therewith is a detent' member 9| which is spring biased in a counterclockwisedirection, by a spring 92 about a shaft-93.

As previously mentioned, the production of feed holes in the tape is continuous since the shaft 1r| has been indicated as continuously rotating. However, to prevent too great an amount ot tape from being perforated with feed holes.v inthe event that the perforation of code holes is not keeping pace therewith, the control device shown in Fig. 10 is provided. Having reference to Figs. 1, 3, '2, and 1'0,y there is loosely mounted. ony the shaft 61, a lever, generally indicatedv as 94, which comprises a downwardly and Ieftwardly directed arm 95 having a lateral portion 90 of sufiicient length vto span the entire width of the tape 5| (Fig. 3). As shown in Fig. l., the tape 5|, after passing over the sleeve or feed roller 05, is directed downwardly underneath the lateral portion 95, then upwardly toward the code perforator 22. As the loop ot tape isk formed betweenthe feed hole punch and the code hole punch, the lever 94 is permitted to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, thus bringing the shouldered portion of extension 91 into latching engagement with the bar 59, as shown in Fig. 1'. When this relation between lever 94 and bar 59 exists, the bar. 59 and yoke G6 can no longer respondto the pull of spring 63 and thus the reciprocal movement lof the yoke 66 is suspended or prevented. Then when the loop of tape is taken up; and the tape becomes taut, the lever 94 will be rotated by the tape in a clockwise direction about the shaft 6.1, so that the extension 91 becomes disengaged from the bar 59, thereby permitting further reciprocation of the yoke 66 and consequent perforation,

of feed holes in the tape. A lever arm 98' i's also pivotally mounted on shaft 61 and is' provided with a cam portion 99 which acts, upon counterclockwise rotation of lever 98, to cam or raise bar 59 upwardly, causing bar 59 to pivot about the pin 6| for the purpose of manually suppressing the operation of bar 59.

According to the present invention, the perforator unit 22, as previously mentioned?, is pivoted. The perforator unit (Fig. 6) includes-two frame members |0| and |02, pivotedv on pivot pins |03 and |04 (Fig. 3) in a manner to permit free oscillation of the perforator unit. Pins #03 and |04 are secured in bracket |05 mountedv on base 25, and cooperate with lateral portions |06 and |01. of frame members |0| and |02. As shown in Figs. 1, 3, and 6, the frame members |0| and |02 are joined together near their upper edge by a U-shaped member |08 which is attached to members |0| and |02 by screws |09 (Fig-'6). Carried jointly by frame members |0| and |02 are the die plate 49 and the punch guide plate 48.

Secured to plate 49 by a screw is a reed vspring which carries at its free end two-pins* I2 and I3 (Fig. 2) which cooperates with the rectilinear feed mechanism, as will appear hereinafter. Within the space formedy by the metallic spacer |00, is a sIidabIy movable member i4 which is formed with a cam groove I t5 (Figs. 1 andi12) `and which carries on its upper extremity pins '116, |11, and |18. Pins'IIS and |18 are of the same length, but pin 111. is considerably longer than pins |16 and H8, the purpose ofv which will appear more clearly hereinafter. Cooperating with the cam groove |15 is a pin 119, secured to the free end (Fig. 13) of -arm 12| articulated on cam operated lever arm 152. `Pin v119 extends from both sides of arm 121, a length sulcient to permit it to travel in vertical slots 122 in the member 108 (Figs. 1, 11, and 12).

As will be described more fully hereinafter, member 114 and arm 12| are operated in timed relation. Arm 12| is drawn upwardly in the slots |22 and when so drawn and due to the particular shape of cam groove 115, member |14 will be moved to the left (as viewed in Figs. 1, 11, and 14), and relative movement between the punch elements and the tape 51 will be effected. Member 114 then is moved downwardly to withdraw pins 116, 111, and 118 from engagement with the feed perforations already perforated in the tape I. Following this action, arm |21 is moved downwardly, and due'to the afore-mentioned camming action between pin 119 Vand groove 115, member 114 is moved rightwardly. The member 114 is thereafter elevated to cause the pins 116,' 111, and |18 togengage other feed perforations in the tape 51 to achieve, on a subsequent cycle, relative movement between the perforating elements 45 Vand the perforated tape 51.

Mounted on shaft 43 andslidable with respect thereto in an axial direction is a cam sleeve |23 (Fig. 4). The afore-mentioned cam 42 (Fig. 14) for operating the punch hammer 3S is inr tegrally associated with sleeve 123. Moreover, a series of cams |26, |21, 128, and 129, identied with the rectilinear feed mechanism of the pivoted perforating unit are also integrally associated with the cam sleeve 123; Cams 126 and 121, as more clearly shown in Fig. l2, are associated with the arm |14 of the rectilinear feed mechanism, and cams |28 and 129 are associated with the arm 121, as shown in Fig. 13.

As previously mentioned, the electric motor 81 has on its shaft a pinion gear 181which meshes with a gear 11 fixed to a cross shaft 14. Shaft 14 has xed thereon a pinion 131 which meshes with a gearv |32 fixed to shaft 43 associated with the perforating mechanism.

Shaft 43carries thereon, adjacent the clutch trip mechanism indicated generally as 133 in Figs. 1 and 3, a combination friction and positive clutch (not shown) of the type and construction illustrated in Figs. 5 and '1 of the aforementioned Lake Patent No. 2,262,012. Upon depression of any of the key levers 26, the code bars 28 will be operated, as will be the universal bar (not shown) to effect theoperation of the clutch release mechanism |33. For example, upon the depression of the universal baixa link |34 connected thereto is operated rightwardly against the tension of a spring 135 to cause the counterclockwise rotation of a bell crank |36. The counterclockwise rotation of bell crank |36 causes a link |31 to be elevatedto cause the counterclockwise rotation of elements 1313V and 140 of the clutch release mechanism |33 about shaft 139. In this manner, the stop projection on element |38 is removed from the path of a spring operated latch |41 to effect the application of power, through the friction and positive clutch mechanism, to the cam sleeve |23. The form of clutch release mechanism shown herein As set forth in said Reiber patent, the clutch release mechanism 133 is normally operative through link |31 to eect a single operative cycle,

and hence is called a non-repeat clutch release mechanism. Briefly, this is achieved by the offset relation of the confronting stop shoulders on elements |38 and 140, so that in the event a key lever is held depressed, the shoulder on element"I |40 will be effective upon latch |41 to arrest rotation after one cycle. Another feature of the present invention is to provide a means for causing repetition of the operating cycle. This is accomplished through the instrumentality of a link 235 associated with the repeat key (not shown), which, when operated, causes the link 235 to be operated rightwardly against the tension of a spring 236 to causecounterclockwise rotation of a bell crank 231. The counterclockwise rotation of bell crank 231 causes a link 238 to be elevated to cause the clockwise rotation of element |40 to hold the shoulder thereon out of operative relation with the element |41. To effect a repeat operation, the links 131 and 238 are caused to be elevated simultaneously, either by operating two keys concurrently; namely, a character key and the repeat key; or if desired, bell crank 231 and a bell crank with its link, comparable to bell crank 136 with its link 131, may both be connected to link 235 so that both 1elements 138 and 140 are operated by a single According to the present invention, a rectilinear feed means is provided in which forward spacing of the tape is controlled by a pair of cams |21 and |29, and back spacing of the rectilinear feed mechanism is effected through the instrumentality of a pair of cams 1.26 and |28, provision being made for shifting the cam sleeve |23 manually by means of a shift bar |42, shown in Fig. 4. Shift bar 1&2 is guided for slidable operation in wall 143 of the frame and the pin 144, cooperating with the open slotted end of bar 142. Bar 142 is provided with a pair of lugs |45 and 146 which straddle a disc 141 integral with sleeve 123. Thus, as the bar 142 is reciprocated rightwardly and leftwardly as viewed in Fig. 4, the cam sleeve, through the articulation of lugs and |46 with the disc or flange |41, will cause the sleeve 123 to be reciprocated correspondingly.

Assuming that the bar 142 is in its leftward position, as viewed in Fig. 4, to effect forward spacing of the tape, cams 121 and |29 will cooperate with follower levers 148 and 149, respectively (Figs. 1, 12, and 13). Lever |48 is pivotally mounted on shaft 31 and is adjustably connected to a lever arm |51 also pivotally mounted on the shaft 31 (Figs. 5 and l2). Pivotally articulated to the arm |51 at its free end is the rectlinear feed member I 14.

Likewise follower lever 149 is pivotally mounted on shaft 31 and is adjustably connected to a lever arm 152 also pivotally mounted on shaft 31 (Figs. 5 and 13). Pivotally carried at the free end of arm 152 is the afore-mentioned operating lever 121 of the rectilinear feed mechanism. f

Lever |48 yis normally biased counterclockwise by a springA |58 (Fig. 12) to hold its arm |59 against an adjustable stop |50. Likewise, lever |49 is normally biased counterclockwise by a spring |18 (Fig. 13) to hold its arm |19 against an adjustable stop |85. With this arrangement, the stops |69 and |80 are so adjusted as to provide a slight clearance between folle-wer levers |48 and H59 and their respective pairs of cams, when said cams are in their rest or normal stop positions, as shown in Figs. 1, 12, and 13, to permit the cam sleeve |23 to be readily shifted to control forward and backward spacing of the tape as will appear hereinafter.

As previously mentioned, the cams on shaft 63 are each provided with two similar cam peripheries, since the cam sleeve is arranged to make one-half revolution for each complete cycle of operation of the perforator 22. Therefore. during each one-half revolution of cam sleeve |23, a perforating operation is completed, followed in the same cycle by a single tape stepping operation of the rectilinear feed mechanism. As indicated in the drawings, the cams are shown in their stop position. Having reference to Fig. 11, the tape feed element H4 of the rectilinear feed mechanism is shown in its normal stop position. The tape feed member |4 normally is held in its position shown in Fig. l1, wherein the member ||4 is in its withdrawn position; that is, with the pins ||6, and Il withdrawn from the tape and with the member I4 in its rightward position. For forward feeding or stepping of the tape 5l, the tape feed mem er |4 is first elevated to bring the pins ||8 and ||8 into engagement with the feed holes in the tape and at the same time pin operates to lift the detent member I I l. The member H4 is then operated leftwardly in its elevated position to advance the tape one space, wherafter it is lowered to bring the pins out of engagement with the tape, and then the member ||4 is moved rightwardly in its lowered position back to the normal position shown in Fig. 11. As previously mentioned, the members H4 and 2| are operated in timed relation for forward spacing by cams |21 and |29. Also, the members ||4 and |2| are operated in timed relation for back spacing by cams |25 and |28, as will hereinafter appear. v

Die plate 49 and guide plate 43 are each provided with aligned open ended slots |53 (Fig. 3) wit-hin which the rectilinear tape feeding member ||4 is operative. The plates 48 and a9 are flared at the entrance end |54 to facilitate admission of the tape 5| (Fig. l). Secured to plate 49 by a screw is a reed spring which carries at its free end two pins |l2 and |3, Fig. l, which align vertically with pins |15 and H9, respectively, when the member i4 is in its rightward position. As previously mentioned, pins H6 and H8 are of the same length and cooperate with pins l2 and |93. As disclosed in Figs. l and 11, pin lll is substantially longer than pins H5 and H9 and thus-will engage the under surface of reed spring l!! and move it about its pivot to free pins ll?. and 1| 3 from the feed perforations in tape 5|. Pin having engaged a feed perforation prior engagement of pins ||2 and ||3 with the feed perforations corresponding to kthose previously engaged by pins ||2 and ||3, respectively, pin ||1 will prevent the displacement of tape 5|. Such a construction insures also that the feed perforations will not be mutilated, and also insuresthat the tape will be properly spaced between successive code perforations to enable the transmission of signals corresponding to the setting of the punch elements 41.

The withdrawal of pins H6, and llrfrom the feed perforations, the upward stroke ofarm 2 i, and the reinsertion of pins ||.6,f.||'|, and H8 in feed perforations are achieved by their respective cams during the perforation ofthe holes in accordance with the code combination `of impulses indicative of the setting of the punchelementslll.

Since the rectilinear action is substantially the same as that disclosed in Lake .Patent yNo'. 2,262,012, reference may be had to Figs. 9to 12, inclusive, of said patent for a disclosure of.v the various positions of the rectilinear feed fmecha? nism through which the ,perforated tape is advanced. Specifically, starting from the normal position of arm ||4, whichis the` downward .and rightward position as shown in Fig. 11, varm H4- is moved, for forward spacing, upwardly by its cam |21 (represented by that portion -of they camv periphery between points. |5| and |62, Fig. 12) to bring pins i6, I1, and I8 into engagement with the feed holes in tape 5| (Fig. l) ,and to raise reed spring to withdraw pins H2 and H3 from the tape. yDuring this interval, cam |29 (Fig. 13) has moved from point |63 to |54 .toraise (through arm |2l) pin ||9Valslightdistance .in cam groove I5 in arm H4, but not yet sufficient to impart leftward movement .toarm |14.. v"flzlereafter, arm H4 remains in its upward position while cam |21 continues its rotation, due .to the 40 dwell on said cam representedv by thatportion to the engagement of pins H6 and HS with feed perforations and prior' to the disengagement of pins ||2 andi I3 from the feed perforations, tape 5| will be held against accidental displacement and will be maintained in proper alignment with the punch elements 4l. Also, when member iid is lowered `and pins ll and H8 are moved free of feed perforations in the tape, and prior to the between points|62 and |65. During this. latter interval, cam |29 operates Abetween points |64 and. approximately |66 to raise pin l |19. upwardly. which operates in cam groovel-IB to actuatearm l!!! leftwardly to move the tape .5| .,forwardly..

(leftward, yas viewed in Fig. l1). .'Ihen, ,asfcam, i2? completes its half revolution .indicative-of a.

'cycle of operation, a drop-off -on the periphery of the cam is encountered at |65 .by follower-.lever to effect a downward movement of arm ||4 and a consequent withdrawal of .pins-|16, and H8 from the tape 5|. Finally, shortly after said withdrawal has been effected,arm |49 en-Y counters the drop-off on the periphery of cam |29- the present rectilinear feed mechanism.- .As prefviously described, a bar |42 (Figs. land f4) isprovided for shiftingv the .cam 4sleeve |23...toproduce back spacing. When bar |42 Ais pressedinward-v ly (rightwardly asshown m Fig. 4,) ,fthe cam sleeve |23 is moved rightwardly (which is permitted by the clearance between the cams and thearms |48 and |49 as shown in Figs. Vv12.and.13,).. B y -thisac.-

tion, cams |25 and |28 are broughtinto registerv with follower arms |48 and |49 of `the,rectilinear feed elements y| I4 and |2|, respectively; .pro-.

sitions as shown in Fig. 11. To produce this result, the cam contours of the peripheries of cams |26 and |28 are so conformed as to time this operation.

Specically, starting from the normal position of arm I4, which is the downward and rightward position as shown in Fig. 11, arm H 4 is moved for backward spacing, first to the left by cam |28 (represented by that portion of the cam periphery between points |63 and |61). By this action, pin

H9 has been raised in the cam groove I5. which camming action imparts leftward movement to member ||4. During this interval, cam 26 has moved from point |6| to point |68. As seen in Fig. 12, the points on the cam between points |6| and |68 is a cam dwell,` whereby no upward or downward movement is imparted to the arm i4, it being merely under the sole control of cam 28. Thereafter, as the cams continue to rotate, the member H4, having reached its extreme leftward position (as viewed in Fig. 11) is moved upwardly to bring the pins H6, H1, and H8 into register with the feed holes in the tape. This motion to member |4 is effected by the cam I 26 between the points |68 and |69 thereof. During this interval. the cam |28 rotates without effect upon the lever arm |49 and rectilinear feed element |2| because of the dwell between points |61 and 1| on the cam periphery of cam |28.

Thereafter, the member 4 remains in its upward position in engagement with tape due to the dwell between the points |69 and |12 bn cam |26. Then, as cam |28 rotates, the portion thereof between point |1| and |13 governs the downward movement of arm |2l, and hence pin H9. which coacting with the cam groove H5. causes the rectilinear feed member H4 to move rightwardly in its upward position to impart corresponding backward (rightward. Fig. l1) movement to the tape 5|. Thus, as cam |25 completes its half revolution indicative of a cycle of operation. a drop-off on the cam is encountered at point |12 by follower |48 to effect the downward movement of member H4 and the consequent withdrawal of pins H6, H1, and H8 from the tape 5|. Finally. shortly after said withdrawal has been effected arm |49 rides onthe dwell of the cam |28 from point |13 to the normal stop position of the cam, thus causing no effect to the pin H9.. whereupon the rectilinear feed member i4 is returned to its normal rightward and downward position as shown in Fig. 11. As shown in Fig. l, the reed spring is wide enough to accommodate the entire rightward the leftward extent of movement of the ,rectilinear feed member H4 so that it will be operative for both the forward and backward feeding operations of the rectilinear feed mechanism.

In effecting the back spacing operation, the arm or bar |42 is actuated as previously described, in a rightward direction, asviewed in Fig. 4, and after the cam` sleeve |23 has been positioned for back spacing, it is understood that the keyboard mechanism will be operated either to produce all marking perforations in the tape simultaneousli7 with the back spacing operation by operating the Letters key or by operating the Blank key so as to release the cam sleeve for operation through the clutch release mechanism |33 as previously described.

'I'he pivoted punch unit 22 is shown in Fig. 1 in a vertical or intermediate position. However, in its extreme clockwise position (shown dotted at |15) the tape guideway is adapted to be contiguous to the corresponding tape guideway of the sensing portion of the transmitting unit 23. Perforator unit 22 is capable of rotating in a clockwise direction to its dotted position indicated |15, and when its extreme clockwise position has been reached, a loop of tape between the perforator unit 22 and the transmitting unit 23 will be formed provided the speed of operation of the perforator is greater than the speed of operation of the transmitting unit. Then, if the perforating operation ceases and transmission continues, the loop of tape will decrease in size, as it is taken up by the transmitter, until the tape becomes taut between the dotted position |15 and the transmitter 21|1 whereupon the perforator 22 will be drawn toward the transmitter 23 until perforator 22 assumes a position |14 contiguous to the transmitter 23 so that the last code combination perforated by the perforator 22 will be sensed and the corresponding signal transmitted. In moving to position |14, the movement of the perforator unit 22 will open a contact |16 (Figs.

" 1 and l5) in the circuit of the transmitter control magnet 234 to cle-energize said magnet to stop transmission. Upon resumption of the perforating operation. the perforating unit 22 will be forced away from the transmitting unit 23 by the rst tape stepping operation due to the rigidity of the short portion of tape obtaining between the perforator 22 and the transmitter 23.

The transmitting unit 23 comprises a sensing portion and a transmitting portion. In the embodiment shown in Fig. l, the sensing portion .is xed and comprises a channel shaped frame member |8|, supported at its lower end on a rod |82 mounted in a bracket |83 carried on the baseportion 25 (Figs. 1 and 8). Frame |8| is suD- ported at its upper end on a rod |84 also mounted in the bracket |83.

Carried on extensions |85 of member |8| is a plate |86, and adjacent the right-hand edge of Said plate is a series of code apertures into which a corresponding series of tape sensing pins |81 is slidable. Mounted on plate |86 are tape guide plates |86 and |89. The lower plate |88 has its upper surface depressed or grooved to form a channel for the tape as it passes through the sensing unit 23. The opening thus provided between plates |88 and |89 is in alignment with the tape guideway of the perforating unit 22. Code apertures are also provided in plates |88 and |89 in vertical alignment with the code apertures in plate |86. As illustrated in Figs. l and 8, there is carried on shaft |84, a sleeve I 9| having integrally associated therewith a feed ratchet wheel |92 and a tape feed wheel |93. The wheel |93 is located in cooperative relation with the row of feed holes in the tape 5|. A detent roller |94 is carried on a reed |95 attached to member |8| and cooperates with feed ratchet |92 in wellknown manner.

Cooperating with ratchet wheel |92 is a feed paw] |96 (Figs. l and 8) which is pivotally attached to the horizontal arm of a bell crank lever- |91 mounted on a pivot shaft |98. The depending arm |99 of lever |91 cooperates wtih a tape feed cam 29| (Fig. 3) integral with a cam sleeve 202 operatively associated with the transmitting shaft 203. Pawl |96 is normally biased into `engagement with ratchet |92 by a spring 200.

The sensing elements or pins |81 are integral individually with a corresponding series of sensing Alingers 204. The lower end of sensing fingers 204 are provided with open ended slots to straddle the shaft |782, whereby the sensing nger 2534 is guided for vertical reciprocation. The sensing fingers 204 are also slotted in the side thereof to accommodate the ends of the horizontal arms ci a series of bell crank levers 205, one individual to each sensing nger. Each of the 'bell `crank levers 205 is provided with a depending arm 208 which cooperates with the horizontal arm 201 of a bell crank lever 208 (Fig. l). Fastened near the end of each arm 206 of each bell crank lever 205 is a retractile spring 209, which serves to rotate its respective bell crank in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 1) and to move the associated sensing finger 204 vertically to cause the sensing elements |81 to sense the perforations in the tape 5|. 'If a perforation is presented above a sensing element |81, the sensinl finger moves vertically to its fullest extent, where as if there is no perforation in vertical alignment therewith, its upward movement is correspondingly restricted. The depending arms 200 of the bell crank levers 205 cooperate with the slot in a pivotally mounted guide comb 2| I. Guide comb 2|| is normally under the tension of a spring 212, one end of which is fastened to a spring post 2|3 and the other secured to ears 2|4 (Figs. l and 3) Stop screws 2|5 are provided in ears 2|4 to adjustthemovement of comb 2| Depending from the pivot shaft |98 is an arm 2|0, the lower extremity of which fits into aslot in the comb member 2H. Arm 2I| is also provided With a cam follower projection 2I1 which cooperates with a cam 2|8 .integral with the cam sleeve 202 (Fig. 3).

Comb member 2H is normally biased in a clockwise direction by springs 2|2 which, acting through arm 2| 6, hold cam follower A2|1 against the lperiphery of cam 2|8. VComb member 24| also acts under the tension of springs 2 |2 to hold bell crank levers 205 in their clockwise position (shown in Fig. l) in blocking relation with arm 201 of transmitting levers 208, tensioning springs 209. Upon the rotation of cam 2|8; the apex thereon (not shown) coacts with a follower 2|1 to impant counterclockwise rotation to arm 2|6,

i which in turn imparts like rotation to comb 2| When comb 2|I is thus rotated, the bell crank levers 205 are thereafter yfree to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, also, under the influence of their respective springs 209. However, whether or not the bell cranks 205 will thus respond to the pull of their springs 209, will depend upon whether an obstruction is encountered by the tape sensing elements |81. That is, if a perforation appears in the tape above a sensing element 81, that sensing finger 204 will be permitted to rise into the code perforation, thus permitting the bell crank lever 205 to rotate a predetermined amount under the influence of its spring 200 so that the depending arm 206 is moved out of blocking relation with arm 201 of the transmitting lever 208. On the other hand, if no perforation is in register with the tape sensing nger 204, that bell crank lever 205 lassociated therewith will not be permitted to rotate, and hence the depending arm 206 thereof will remain in blocking relation with an associated arm 201.

As previously mentioned, there is individual to each of the bell crank levers 205 a bell crank Vlever 208, pivoted on a shaft 22| and held in proper spaced positionb-y spacing washers. Each V,bell crank '208 has a hook 222 `at its upper end which engages the insulated upper end of the spring.

contact 223, and each of the latter cooperates with a. contact spring 224, the ypairs of contant associated contact spring v224, and also serves to hold a lug 221 on the 'horizontal .arm 201 of the corresponding bell crank lever 208 (when free to rotate counterclockwise) in engagement with the surface of an associated transmitting cam 228. Each of the cams A220 is provided with a recess 229, so that as the recess passes over the lug 221 the associated switch contacts 2123 and 224` will be closed, provided the horizontal arm of the bell crank lever 208 is not restricted in its movement by the blocking arm 206. The cams 228 are so mounted on the .shaft 203 that the recesses 229 are ,arranged in a helical series, so that as the cam sleeve 202 is rotated, the lugs- 221 and recesses 229 cooperate successively lto cause the contact 223 and' 224 to close sequentially.

Power is communicated to shaft 202 by the motor 8l which, as previously described, drives the cross shaft 14 through gears 11 and 18; Shaft' 14 carries a. pinion gear A229 which meshes with a gear 23|, fixed vto lthe transmitting shaft 203. Gear 23| drives cam sleeve 202 through a'positive clutch, indicated generally as 233, which is described in detail in the aforementioned Lake Patent No.2,262,012, and to which patent refer.-

ence may be had fora complete .disclosure of this clutch arrangement. As mentioned in the'latter patent, this clutch is of the single revolution type and is controlled by an electromagnet 234. Asr

40 shown in Fig. l5, the winding of the clutch con'- Ysleeve 2.02.

clutch release mechanism |38 for operating the shaft 43 of the perforating unitis also in its rest trol magnet -234 is in series with the contact |16 controlled by the pivoted perforator 22, so that when the contactss|16 are closed, which occurs during the operative period of the perforator 22, the magnet 234 will be energized to attract its armature to withdraw the clutch arm from the driven portion .of the single revolution clutch 233, whereby the driven portion will be urged toward thefdriving portion 'to effect the rotation of the sleeve 202. Conversely, when the perforator 22 has ceased operating and has beenadvanced to the point |14 Vcontiguous to thel transmitting portion 23, contact |l6`will be opened and .fthe clutch release magnet 234 will be de-energized thereby releasing its armature and effecting the withdrawal of the driven portion of the clutch 233 from the driving portion in the manner described in the aforementioned Lake Patent No. 2,262,012.

General operation Referring to Fig. 1, let it be assumed that all.

of the code combinations previously perforated position shown in dotted lines at |14, where the tape exit channel of the perforator is immediately adjacent to the entrance channel of the transmitter unit23. Under such circumstances', contact |10 is opened and electromagnet 234 is deenersized, which results in thearrestment of cam Also, Vthe clutch controlled `by the.

position preparatory to being released by the depression of a key lever 20. The conditioner the feed hole punch unit 2| is such that the shaft 1| is constantly rotating, thereby reciprocating the bar 66 to produce feed perforations in the tape until a loop of tape has been formed whereby the lever 95 is rotated -to its counterclockwiseposiof one cycle of operation of the perforator 22.

In response to the rotation of cam sleeve I 23 the perforator punch hammer 36 is operated by the mechanism shown in Fig. 14 to .produce the perforations in the tape. Thereafter the rectilinear' feed mechanism is operated, as previously described, to step the tape forward one step. In so doing the tape causes the perforator unit 22 to be pushed away from the transmitting unit 23' and to close the contact |16. Then, the magnet' 234 will become energized and the clutch 233 will become engaged to initiatethe'rotation of the transmitting cam sleeve 202, whereupon the sensing fingers 204 will be operated to sense the tape and to set the bell crank levers 205 in positions determined by whether the sensing fingers find a perforation in the tape or not, thus setting the arm 206 in blocking or nonblocking relation with the arms 201 of fthe transmitting levers 208. Then, as the cam sleeve 202 rotates, the contacts 223 will be operated successively to transmit a series of signals over the line (Fig. 15) corresponding to the particular code combination sensed in Ithe tape.

It is understood that as soon as a row of perforations is perforated in the tape as the perforator assumes the dotted line position |14, it is immediately sensed by the sensing fingers 204 after the tape has been advanced one character space, since it 'is an object of the invention to transmit'the last signal perforated in the tape. Since the perforator 22 operates at a greater speed than the speed of transmission, the perforator 22 will advance toward the right or pivot 'to the position shown at |15, whereafter, a loop of tape will be formed so that upon cessation of operation of the perforator, the transmitter will continue to operate until the pivoted perforator unit 22 has been pulled up to the transmitting unit 23 to transmit the last character perforated in the tape, whereupon the contact |16 will be opened to effect the de-energization of the magnet 234 to stop transmission.

In the embodiment of the invention already` In the event that the pivoted transmitter, as

shown inv said Lake patent, is substituted for the fixed transmitter or sensing unit 23, the pivoted unit is caused to be so mounted as to pivot about the point of articulation between the horizontal arm of the bell crank 205 and the sensing fingers 204 (which compares with the point of connection between the sensing fingers |25 and bell crank horizontal arms |66 shown in Fig. 1 of said Lake patent). The rectilinear feed mechanism for the transmitting unit will -be as shown in said Lake patent in Figs. 9 to l2 thereof, and

7 operating cams for this rectilinear feed movement will be added to the cam sleeve 202 in proper position in. correspondence with similar positions shown in the Lake patent.

While the invention has been disclosed and described with reference to a particular type of apparatus, it is obvious that it may be applied to other forms of apparatus without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is accordingly intended to cover all applications of the present invention which come within the;

purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. Apparatus for imparting step-by-step advancement to a strip having rows of telegraph signal indicia with a feed hole intermediate certain signal indicia, comprising a member engageable with the feed holes in said strip, a pluralityl of key levers, means controlled by said key levers for causing said member rst to be movedl free of said strip and then to engage said strip, Cyclically operable means effective upon each operation of said key levers, rotary means controlledby said cyclically operable means for positively reciprocating said member longitudinally of said strip, means for holding said strip while said member is free of said strip and is being moved to a different position, and means for shifting saidrotary means to facilitate the movement of said member longitudinally-of said strip in a reverse direction to back space said strip.

2. Apparatus for imparting step-by-step advancement to a strip having rows ofVV telegraph signal indicia, comprising a member engageablef with said strip, meansfor causing said member to be disengaged fromand to engage saidstrip, a plurality of key levers, means controlled by, said key levers for presenting said member to "a different area of said strip, means for holding said strip while saidmember is being presented to a, different area of said strip for rendering said signal indicia effective, cyclically operable means effective upon each operation of a key lever for. operating said member for each successive row of.

telegraph signal indicia in the strip, and means for causing said cyclically operable means to affect said member differently upon the operation4 of said key levers to cause said member to actuate said strip in a reverse direction.

3. In combination, a strip having feed perfora-v tions therein, a feeding instrumentality cooperable with the feed perforations in said strip,

cyclically operable means for imparting a recti-f' said cyclically operable means to a single cycle to Y facilitate the repeated operation of said cyclicallyV operable means, whereby repeated stepwise movement is imparted to said strip.

4. In combination, a strip having feed perforations therein, a feeding instrumentality cooperable with the feed perforations in said strip,-

cyclically operable means, means controlled, by said cyclically operable means for imparting one variety of motion to said instrumentality where-- by said instrumentality is caused to be moved free of said strip and then to engage said strip, means controlled by said cyclically operable means for imparting another variety of motion to said instrumentality whereby said instrumentality is reciprocated longitudinally of said strip, means for timing the operation of said rst and second mentioned means to impart rectilinear movement to said feeding instrumentality to effeci; movement in one direction to said strip, means for causing said timing means to affect said rst and second mentioned means differently to effect movement in a reverse direction to said strip, means comprising a double trip-off latch for limiting said cyclically operable means to a single cycle of operation, and means for rendering said double trip-01T latch ineffective to limit said cyclically operable means to a single cycle to facilitate the repeated operation of said cyclically operable means, whereby repeated stepwise movement is imparted to said strip in either direction.

5. In combination, a strip having feed perforations therein, a, feeding instrumentality cooperable with the feed preforations in said strip, cyclically operable means, rotary means controlled by said cyclically operable means for imparting one variety of motion to said instrumentality whereby said instrumentality is caused to be moved free of said strip and then to engage said strip, cam and slot means controlled by said cyclically operable neans for imparting another Variety of motion to said instrumentality whereby said instrumentality is reciprocated longitudinally of said strip, means for timing the operation of said rotary means and said cam and slot means to impart rectilinear movement to said feeding instrumentality to effect movement in one direction to said strip, means for causing said timing means to aiect said rotary means and said cam and slot means diierently to effect movement in a reverse direction to said strip, means comprising a double trip-off latch for limiting said cyclically operable means to a single cycle of operation, and means for rendering said double trip-off latch ineffective to limit said cyclically operable means to a single cycle to facilitate the repeated operation of said rotary means and said cam and slot means, whereby repeated stepwise movement in either direction is imparted to said strip.

. 6. Apparatus for imparting step-by-step advancement to a strip having rows of telegraph signal indicia, comprising a member engageable with said strip, means for causing said member to be disengaged from and to engage said strip,

a plurality of key levers, feed means controlled by said key levers for presenting said member to a different area of said strip, means for holding said strip while said member is being presented to a different area. of said strip for rendering said signal indicia effective, cyclically operable means effective upon each operation of a key lever for operating said member for each successive row of telegraph signal indicia in the strip, means for causing said cyclically operable means to affect said member dierently upon the operation of said key levers to cause said member to actuate said strip in a reverse direction, and means responsive to the operation of certain of said key levers for facilitating, through said cyclically operable means, the repeated operation of said member to effect the repeated stepwise movement of said strip in either direction.

ROSS A. LAKE. 

